What should I Do when I Suffer Sleep Paralysis?

March 10, 2014

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The sense of being powerlessness is one of the worst feelings in the world. It’s so horrible that it almost ties next to the disgusting feeling of getting your socks wet while you’re wearing them. But powerlessness is undesirable in its own unique way.

Experiencing a disagreeable and horrible situation while possessing no ability to affect it whatsoever gives the person going through it more than just fear. It also gives the sentiment of helplessness and hopelessness, the feeling of being abandoned by your own senses that you thought you can always depend on.

That’s what sleep paralysis is all about. It’s the feeling of consciousness even though you’re actually still asleep on your beloved bed. Your body is completely disabled, and you know that you’re not in a dream, but when you try to move your body, you can’t.

Relax

Sleep paralysis is so distinctly horrifying that you’ll just recognize the moment you start experiencing it.

If ever you’ve suffered sleep paralysis before, you’ll well know that it’s not that bad once you get through it. After all, sleep paralysis cannot cause death. Obviously, if you’re reading this and you’ve gone through it at least once before, you can already confirm that for yourself. It just feels that you’re going to die, but you’re not. That’s why it’s important to relax as a first point of response.

Focus on your breathing

One common thing undergone in sleep paralysis is hyperventilation. It’s also not a rare thing to have a feeling of a weight pushing down your chest. However, such a feeling is completely illusionary.

Once you get past the experience of sleep paralysis, you’ll begin to feel comfortable in your breathing again, and since you’re conscious but unable to move, the most productive thing you can do in the meantime is to make sure you know you’re breathing.

Try to move

Believe it or not, it’s actually possible to end your sleep paralysis experience sooner than usual. In sleep paralysis, you’ll notice that you’re still fully in control of your thoughts even though your body feels trapped inside itself. That’s the catch. It’s really just your body cheating by making you think you’re awake when you’re really not. However, it’s worth a shot to wake yourself up. The easiest way to do this is to try moving your fingers or toes. It’s difficult, but you’ll be awake eventually anyway.

Like I said, sleep paralysis isn’t a piece of cake, and it’s not as enjoyable as a slice of pie. But there’s always a consolation – to be able to look to the bright side and be thankful that it’s not a never-ending nightmare. Sleep paralysis can keep you in discomfort for a while, but the feeling of comfort provided by your own place of slumber cannot be taken away. That’s why it’s even more important to be comfortable and to enjoy the night.